Sock With A Drop-Front Pouch

ABSTRACT

A sock with a drop-front pouch may be utilized to expose the toes of a wearer for personal or medical purposes. The sock may have an overflap with a slot in an instep seam. Alternatively, a zipper may be utilized in the instep seam.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/888,999, filed Aug. 19, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sock. In particular, the present invention relates to socks with a drop-front pouch.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the present invention, a sock with a drop-front pouch comprises a heel, an instep, a sole, a toe pocket, and a toe seam. The toe seam comprises an instep seam and a sole seam. The instep seam is between the toe pocket and the instep. The sole seam is between the toe pocket and the sole. The instep seam is open by having a slot between the toe pocket and the instep. The sole seam is closed by joining the toe pocket with the sole.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the instep seam comprises an overflap. The overflap lays over the slot.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the instep seam comprises a zipper.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the instep is elastic and the sole is elastic.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the sock with a drop-front pouch further comprises a cuff.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the sock with a drop-front pouch further comprises a leg.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the leg is elastic.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the sock with a drop-front pouch is made of a yarn that is 85% polyester and 15% nylon.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cuff is a single layer cuff.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cuff is a double layer cuff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 a partial perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 are illustrative socks types utilized by the present invention.

FIG. 15 are illustrative socks types utilized by the present invention.

FIG. 16 are illustrative socks types utilized by the present invention.

FIG. 17 are illustrative socks types utilized by the present invention.

For clarity purposes, all reference numerals may not be included in every figure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, the present invention is a sock with a drop-front pouch 100 comprising a heel 110, an instep 120, a sole 130, a toe pocket 140, and a toe seam 150. The toe seam 150 comprises an instep seam 152 and a sole seam 154. The instep seam 152 is between the toe pocket 140 and the instep 120. The sole seam 154 is between the toe pocket 140 and the sole 130. The instep seam 120 is open by having a slot 152 a between the toe pocket 140 and the instep 120. The sole seam 154 is closed by joining the toe pocket 140 with the sole 130.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and 7-10, the instep seam 152 comprises an overflap 190. The overflap 190 lays over the slot 152 a. The slot 152 a is within the instep seam 152, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

In other embodiments, the instep seam 152 comprises a zipper 160, as illustrated in FIGS. 11-13. The zipper 160 is within the instep seam 152, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

The overflap 190 when over the slot 152 a (as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9) serves to cover the foot, as in a regular sock. Similarly, when the zipper 160 is closed (as illustrated in FIGS. 11-12), it covers the foot, as in a regular sock. When the zipper 160 is open (as illustrated in FIG. 13), it serves the same purpose of the slot 152 a. The toe seam 150 joins the toe pocket 140 with the instep 12 (via the instep seam 152 on top, as illustrated in FIG. 3) and with the sole 130 (via the sole seam 154 on bottom, as illustrated in FIG. 4). Generally, in regular socks, the toe seams are fully closed, but the present invention the toe seam 150 is open on top where the instep seam 152 is located and the sole seam 154 is closed. In embodiments with the overflap 190 and embodiments with the zipper 160 when open or unzipped, the user may pull the toe pocket 140 over the toes and drop or bend the toe pocket 140 underneath the toes to expose the toes. This exposure of the toes without removing the entire sock may be useful for pedicures, airing out/drying wet toes, patients in need of exposing toes, among other uses. When the overflap 190 covers the slot 152 a or when the zipper 160 is closed or zipped, the sock with a drop-front pouch 100 may be utilized like a regular sock.

In some embodiments, the instep 120 and the sole 130 are elastic. The elastic may aid in keeping the sock 100 in place. Elastic generally is a rubber or spandex core covered with a nylon to provide extreme stretch.

In other embodiments, the sock with a drop-front pouch 100 may further comprise a cuff 170.

In some embodiments, the sock with a drop-front pouch 100 may further comprise a leg 180. In other embodiments of the present invention, wherein the leg 180 is elastic. The elastic may aid in keeping the sock 100 in place.

In some embodiments, the sock with a drop-front pouch 100 is made of a yarn that is 85% polyester and 15% nylon. The present invention may also be made from materials known to one skilled in the art. The materials include, but are not limited to, acrylic, angora, bamboo, cashmere, CoolMax, cotton (including organic cotton, recycled cotton, mercerized cotton and combed cotton), DryMax, elastance, lycra, spandex, elastic, flax, lurex, modal, mohair, nylon, olefin (polypropylene), polyester, rayon, rubber, silk, and wool (including merino wool and smartwool).

In some embodiments, the cuff 170 is a single layer cuff 170 a. In other embodiments, the cuff 170 is a double layer cuff 170 b. The cuff 170 is generally located at the top of the sock. A single layer cuff 170 a is for a more relaxed fit; whereas a double layer cuff 170 b is for a more secure fit. A double layer cuff 170 b may also be referred to as a welt cuff.

The present invention may be practiced with any length, type, and size of socks. FIGS. 14-17 illustrate some of the different types of socks that may be utilized in the present invention. Different types include, but are not limited to, no-show/ped, liner/extra-low cut, ped/low cut, quarter/anklets, mid-crew length, mid-calf/crew, boot length, over the calf/executive, knee high, over the knee, and thigh high.

The leg 180 may be in some embodiments of the present invention. For example, embodiments in the crew or executive sock types may include the leg 180; whereas embodiments in the liner and no-show may not include the leg 180. The leg 180 is generally above the heel 110 and normally seen outside the shoes (when present). Elastic may be utilized in the leg 180 to aid in keeping the sock 100 in place. The leg 180 may include a “shin panel,” which is the front of the leg 180 that protects the shin and may be lightly cushioned, especially for boot wearers.

The instep 120 is generally the part covering the top of the foot and may have elastic around the circumference (with the sole 130). The elastic may aid in keeping the sock 100 in place.

The heel 110 generally is a pocket formed to cover the heel of the foot.

The toe pocket 140 generally covers the toes.

The sole 130 is generally the bottom most part of the sock 100. The sole 130 is the main point of impact and absorbs nearly the full weight of the body when stepping, therefore may be cushioned. Also, the sole 130 covers area of foot that sweats the most, therefore may be absorbent (made of absorbent material).

As one skilled in the art understands, different people may use different names for the same parts of a sock or subdivide a part of a sock. For example, the term “arch” may be a part of a sock that covers the arch of the foot and is opposite the instep. For purposes of describing the present invention, the term “arch” is not necessary. The arch is part of the sole and it is not necessary to subdivide the sole to include the arch. Similarly, the term “foot” is utilized by some sock makers. The foot generally extends from the beginning of the heel to the end of the toe and from the instep to the arch, top to bottom. Like the term “arch,” the term “foot” is not necessary for purposes of describing the present invention. Another commonly used term for socks is “gusset,” which is generally the wedge shaped area for instep shaping and covers the part of the foot that gradually narrows from where the ankle meets the foot. This does not mean that embodiments of the present invention does not include what is generally known as the “arch,” the “foot,” or the “gusset,” it is just not required to include these terms to complicate the description of the present invention.

Similarly, the heel is sometimes divided into the “heel flap” and the “heel turn.” Again, it is not necessary to subdivide the heel into these two parts for the purposes of the description of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention may utilized in all types of socks, not just those divided based upon the length of the sock. As one skilled in the art knows that socks may be categorized differently with other types, for example: (a) stretch socks which are knit, in part, with yarns that have the ability to stretch and recover, thereby enabling the sock to fit a wide range of sizes; (b) fitted socks which are made to a specific size (as opposed to size ranges) that correlates with a specific shoe size; and, (c) tube socks which have a shape of a tube having no heel pocket. The present invention may be practice utilized these types of socks as well. With regard to tube socks, although these socks have no “heel pocket,” these socks do have a “heel” (as recited in the claims) because tube socks do have a part that is a “heel” that covers the heel of a wearer's foot.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions, and/or additions may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. 

I claim:
 1. A sock with a drop-front pouch comprising: a heel; an instep; a sole; a toe pocket; and, a toe seam; wherein the toe seam comprises: an instep seam; and, a sole seam; wherein the instep seam is between the toe pocket and the instep; wherein the sole seam is between the toe pocket and the sole; wherein the instep seam is open by having a slot between the toe pocket and the instep; and, wherein the sole seam is closed by joining the toe pocket with the sole.
 2. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 1, wherein the instep seam comprises: an overflap; wherein the overflap lays over the slot.
 3. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 2, wherein the instep is elastic; and, wherein the sole is elastic.
 4. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 3 further comprising: a cuff.
 5. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 4 further comprising a leg.
 6. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 5, wherein the leg is elastic.
 7. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 6 is made of a yarn that is 85% polyester and 15% nylon.
 8. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 7, wherein the cuff is a single layer cuff.
 9. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 7, wherein the cuff is a double layer cuff.
 10. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 1, wherein the instep seam comprises: a zipper.
 11. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 10, wherein the instep is elastic; and, wherein the sole is elastic.
 12. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 11 further comprising: a cuff.
 13. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 12 further comprising a leg.
 14. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 13, wherein the leg is elastic.
 15. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 14 is made of a yarn that is 85% polyester and 15% nylon.
 16. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 15, wherein the cuff is a single layer cuff.
 17. The sock with a drop-front pouch of claim 15, wherein the cuff is a double layer cuff. 